The House transportation committee rejected legislation Monday that would have created prestige license plates for the Democratic and Republican parties of Louisiana. Under House Bill 372 by Rep. Lenar Whitney, R-Houma, the Department of Public Safety and Corrections would have been allowed to manufacture plates reading "Republican Party of Louisiana" and "Democratic Party of Louisiana." Each plate would have cost $25, plus an additional $3.50 handling fee.

The color and designs of the plates would have been chosen by the chairman of each party, Whitney said.

The bill drew resistance from committee members who asked why Whitney didn't include a license plate for Independents. Other lawmakers also said allowing plates for the two parties could open the doors for other political organizations to request similar license plates.

"You realize if you do this then the Socialists have a right to come here and ask for that? If we approve this then they can have the same standing. So could the Communist Party and ... the Islamic Party. That's the problem that this thing can open, do you realize that?" Rep. Sam Jones, D-Franklin, asked.

Whitney said any organization should have the right to ask the committee for a specialty plate, that the process shouldn't be limited to non-political organizations.

A representative from the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles said there are currently 214 specialty plates in circulation. At least 1,000 people would have to sign up for the plates before the state could begin producing them, she said.

"I don't know that this bill would open, 'I'm a communist,' because I'm not asking for that license plate. I'm asking for Republican and Democrat license plates," Whitney said.

The committee voluntarily deferred House Bill 47 by Rep. Paul Hollis, R-Covington. Under the bill, automated red light and speeding traffic camera tickets could only have been issued to drivers registered in the parish where the camera is located.